jennifer gilbert explains in commencements concerns. >> i think the graduation rate that it's in.ause of the area >> reporter: jessica is a sophommreestudying journallsm, %-the university syytem ofies i3 maryland. according to system ata, the odds of graduating from cop pen state within four years are slim. that is because just 4% of caupen students graduated ffomú. 10% in 5 years and just 13% in 6 years. >> wow! i didn'' realize ii was that i knew it was low. >> reporter: to help put those figures intooperspective, 61% of university of maryland college park sttdents graduate in 4 years. yeers. >> both institutions not enough kids are ggaduating. >> reporter: state senator is the member of the board of regents and currently sits on the state's education committee. >>the cost for the students got it too hiih. ú%at isswhy you see the studenns dropping out. unless we get the tuition under control, we won't get the graduation numberssup. >> reporter: this year, cop ppnn state willlget $58 million in its operating budget. and the president helped to elevate grrduation rates ill take 43,0